Things to do in Bern

Activities, attractions and tours

Clock Tower featuring landscape views and a city
Bern Natural History Museum showing interior views
Bundeshaus showing an administrative building, a square or plaza and a sunset
Botanical Garden featuring a park
Bern Rose Garden featuring a city
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Top places to visit

1. Federal Palace

The Bundeshaus is the impressive building housing the Swiss Parliament. It is easy to recognize in the Bern skyline with its remarkable large green dome at its center and two smaller versions on either side. Walk through the grand rooms of this structure, built between 1894 and 1902, and learn about its political and architectural importance.
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Bundeshaus showing an administrative building, a square or plaza and a sunset

2. Bern Rose Garden

Bern Rose Garden is one of the prettiest parks in the city, with 220 types of roses displayed. In this former cemetery, countless rows of colorful flowers, made up of rhododendrons, irises and azaleas now complement the eclectic rose collection. Spend some time reading a book in the peaceful setting before making your way through the Old Town.
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Bern Rose Garden featuring wild flowers, a park and flowers

3. Berner Munster

The late-Gothic Berner Münster is a magnificent medieval cathedral that soars above Bern's Old Town. This vast building dates back to 1421, although the first church to occupy this site is thought to have been a small 12th-century chapel. From the top of the cathedral’s tower are fantastic views of the region.
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Berner Munster

4. Paul Klee Museum

The Paul Klee Museum, opened in 2005, holds a large proportion of the Swiss German painter’s works. Peruse fine examples of cubist, surrealist and expressionist works in the three warehouses, with wave-like shapes, that undulate along a pleasant green field. Italian architect Renzo Piano designed the modern buildings to flow with the hills of the natural landscape.
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Paul Klee Museum which includes modern architecture

5. Bern Art Museum

More than 50,000 objects fill the Bern Art Museum, covering eight centuries of artistic endeavors. Among the showcased items are sculptures, paintings, videos, drawings, prints and photographs. The focus is on art produced in Bern, Swiss art, 19th-century French art and international modern art.
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Bern Art Museum

What to do in Bern

Popular places to visit

Bern Rose Garden which includes a park, a pond and a fountain

Bern Rose Garden

See and smell beautiful roses at this dreamy park with hundreds of types of flowers. Appreciate the views from the garden’s position on a ridge.

Bern Rose Garden
Bundeshaus showing an administrative building, a square or plaza and a sunset

Federal Palace

Browse a market, play in the fountain or go ice-skating beside this iconic political hub, before taking a guided tour through its historic halls.

Federal Palace
Berner Munster

Berner Munster

Peruse centuries-old religious art, climb the tallest church tower in Switzerland and attend sacred music recitals when you visit Bern's Gothic cathedral.

Berner Munster
Paul Klee Museum which includes modern architecture

Paul Klee Museum

Take a trip to futuristic warehouses in a rustic green setting to see the inspiring works of a modernist artist.

Paul Klee Museum
Bern Art Museum

Bern Art Museum

Inside one of the oldest art museums in Switzerland, view a vast treasure trove of art from the last 800 years, including works by renowned masters.

Bern Art Museum
Bern Historical Museum

Bern Historical Museum

Browse this prominent Swiss museum to find local treasures from the Stone Age to the present day and get to know the man behind the genius in the Einstein Museum.

Bern Historical Museum
Nydeggbrucke

Nydeggbrucke

You can find out about the history of Innere Stadt with a visit to Nydeggbrucke. Experience the museums and festivals in this walkable area.

Nydeggbrucke
Botanical Garden featuring tropical scenes and street scenes

Botanical Garden

Wander across continents as you walk between the greenhouses and gardens with a remarkable variety of exotic and local vegetation.

Botanical Garden
Clock Tower

Theater am Zytglogge

Enjoy a show at Theater am Zytglogge, a popular theatre in Innere Stadt. Experience the museums and festivals in this walkable area.

Theater am Zytglogge

Areas of Bern

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Old City of Bern

5/5(31 area reviews)

Unique features of Old City of Bern include the historical sites and museums. Make a stop by Einstein-Haus or Bern Town Hall while you're exploring the area.

Old City of Bern
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Langgasse-Felsenau

4/5(2 area reviews)

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Langgasse-Felsenau and surrounding area, you can visit Bern Art Museum and Theater am Zytglogge.

Langgasse-Felsenau
Bern Natural History Museum showing interior views

Kirchenfeld-Schosshalde

If you're spending some time in Kirchenfeld-Schosshalde, Paul Klee Museum and Bern Rose Garden are top sights worth seeing.

Kirchenfeld-Schosshalde
Bern Art Museum

Rotes Quartier

If you're spending some time in Rotes Quartier, Bern Art Museum and Wege zu Klee are top sights worth seeing.

Rotes Quartier
Botanical Garden featuring a park

Breitenrain-Lorraine

4.5/5(17 area reviews)

While visiting Breitenrain-Lorraine, you might make a stop by sights like Wankdorf Stadium and Botanical Garden.

Breitenrain-Lorraine
Bundeshaus showing an administrative building, a square or plaza and a sunset

Gelbes Quartier

While visiting Gelbes Quartier, you might make a stop by sights like Prison Tower (Kafigturm) and Theater am Zytglogge.

Gelbes Quartier

 

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Frequently asked questions

Is Bern worth visiting?
From retail therapy to history and outdoor adventures, there are many great things to do in Bern. Be sure to experience the area's mix of cool attractions, local charm and culture.
How do I spend a day in Bern?
Once you've visited popular attractions like Bern Historical Museum and Einstein-Haus, spend the rest of your day exploring Bern's shopping and dining scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Bern?
Berner Munster is one of the top tourist attractions in Bern and should feature high on every sightseeing list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Bern?
Three days will give you time to check out some popular city highlights, including Berner Munster, Bern Historical Museum and Einstein-Haus. The average stay in Bern is two days. If you feel the urge to extend your holiday, Interlaken isn't far away.
Is Bern a walkable city?
That depends on what you plan to see and do in Bern. Several sights, including Berner Munster and Bern Historical Museum, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a wander around some of Bern's best neighbourhoods, Innere Stadt is 0.16 kilometres away from downtown, while Old City of Bern is 0.16 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Bern with kids?
Deciding what to do in Bern with kids has never been so easy. Whether you're getting away with teenagers or little ones, there are many family-friendly tours and attractions to keep everyone happy here.

What to do in Bern for adults?
Kursaal Bern and Swiss Alpine Museum are just two of the things to do in Bern. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Bern?
One of the best ways to learn about free things to do in Bern is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on vibrant neighbourhoods, parks and other major attractions you can experience without reaching for your wallet. Berner Munster is one place that doesn't charge an admission fee.

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